Since 1952, at least one person has died every year in the United States as a result of hazing. Nationwide, since March 2021, 4 students have died, 5 fraternities or sororities have been expelled, and 23 have been either suspended or placed on probation as a result of hazing.
Ohio Hazing Attorneys
Helping Hazing Victims and Their Families Get Justice
Since 1952, at least one person has died every year in the United States as a result of hazing. Nationwide, since March 2021, 4 students have died, 5 fraternities or sororities have been expelled, and 23 have been either suspended or placed on probation as a result of hazing.
“This group, especially Sean Alto and Rex Elliott, have been a source of strength, mentorship and hope for my son Tyler and our family. After Tyler experienced horrific hazing at the hands of his fraternity brothers, Sean and Rex represented him in a way that showed compassion and diligence, as well as fortitude and integrity. I will say nice things about them all day long, as they are family guys with a whole lot of professional experience and knowledge about hazing laws. This Mama knew her son was in safe hands finally!”
Laura Perino
Hazing Lawyers Serving Clients Throughout the United States
Hazing kills. We work to keep students safe from deadly hazing practices and to change Greek culture across the country.
Hazing is a vicious cycle. The young men in power are generally 19-21 years old and went through similar types of hazing themselves.
However, there is a general belief that they have to make it a little bit worse each year. Some don’t believe what they are doing is wrong or even considered “hazing.”
They are wrong. Hazing has deadly consequences.
Unfortunately, far too often it takes the loss of a young life for laws to change. Collin’s Law was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in 2021. The law is named after our client Collin L. Wiant, who died as a result of hazing at Ohio University in November 2018.
The Law increases penalties, widens the scope of those who can be punished for hazing, and expands the list of officials required to report hazing:
- Verbal Abuse
- Threats
- Social Isolation
- Humiliating Acts
- Forced or Coerced Alcohol or Other Drug Consumption
- Assault
- Branding or Burning
- Exposure to Extreme Temperatures Without Appropriate Protection
- Abductions
What Happens in a Hazing Lawsuit?
We're here for you and your family.
When a loved one is injured or dies as a result of hazing, families are faced with difficult questions and emotions as well as immediate challenges. What happened? How did it happen?
We step in and immediately start working to get answers so that you and your family can focus on healing.
We work quickly to investigate and identify all responsible parties–from the active members, to the national organizations, to the colleges or universities who allowed the organization on their campus–so they can all be held accountable.
Our goal is to completely eradicate hazing across the country so that we do not see any more senseless loss of young lives.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Moss v. Penn State
We represent Zara Moss, a former fencer at Pennsylvania State University, who was verbally, emotionally, and physically abused by former head fencing coach Wes Glon. Penn State placed Glon on administrative leave following Ms. Moss’s lawsuit, and he has since retired. Ms. Moss reported Glon’s abuse to Penn State Title IX officials during her senior year. Yet as Ms. Moss alleges in her federal lawsuit, the University was deliberately indifferent to the abuse. Sadly, Zara gave up fencing and has been receiving treatment for emotional distress and PTSD.
AUGUST 2022
Estate of Stone Foltz v. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
Estate of Stone Foltz v. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
We represent the Foltz family, who tragically lost their son Stone following a hazing ritual at Bowling Green State University in March 2021. The family has sued the fraternity and scores of individuals who were involved with the Big/Little hazing ritual that led to Stone’s death.
Family settles lawsuit over Stone Foltz's hazing death in "largest payout" by a public university in Ohio history. Read story
Bowling Green Reaches $2.9 Million Settlement in Hazing Death. Read story
Hazing suit at Bowling Green ends with nearly $3M settlement. Read story
Family of BGSU hazing victim reaches settlement with university. Read story
Stone Foltz family, Bowling Green reach settlement. Read story
Family of Stone Foltz settles wrongful death lawsuit against BGSU. Read story
Family settles lawsuit over Stone Foltz's hazing death; 'largest payout' by public university in state history. Read story
Bowling Green State University settles with Stone Foltz's family in record hazing lawsuit. Read story
Final two Bowling Green fraternity brothers sentenced in Stone Foltz's hazing death. Read story
2 Ohio fraternity members sentenced in hazing death of Bowling Green State University student. Read story
2 Bowling Green State University fraternity members sentenced in hazing death. Read story
2 ex-fraternity members get 6 weeks jail for hazing death. Read story
Five of Stone Foltz's former Bowling Green State University fraternity brothers sentenced. Read story
Fraternity Brothers Acquitted on Most Serious Charges in Student’s Death. Read story
Jury acquits two charged in Stone Foltz hazing death of most serious counts. Read story
2 Central Ohio men found not guilty of homicide, manslaughter in death of Stone Foltz. Read story
Former fraternity members await sentencing for hazing charges. Read story
Jury finds BGSU students guilty of hazing Stone Foltz, not guilty of homicide, manslaughter. Read story
Two fraternity members charged in Stone Foltz hazing death acquitted of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide. Read story
Fraternity members found guilty of hazing, acquitted of more serious charges in death of Stone Foltz. Read story
Guilty verdicts in Stone Foltz hazing case. Read story
Opinion: Fraternities, sororities that do not fight 'senseless' hazing rituals should permanently and immediately close doors in Ohio. Read story
Stone Foltz's family files wrongful-death lawsuit against PIKE fraternity and its members. Read story
Bowling Green fraternity pledge was "left alone on the couch to die" after alleged hazing, lawsuit claims. Read story
Ohio Student's Alcohol-Related Hazing Death Ruled Accident. Read story
Foltz family files wrongful death lawsuit against fraternity, individual suspects. Read story
Family of Stone Foltz, BGSU student involved in alleged PIKE hazing, says his organs will be donated. Read story
Ohio college student dies following alleged alcohol-related hazing incident. Read story
Police Investigating Whether Fraternity Hazing Led to Death of Bowling Green Student. Read story
Family of Bowling Green State University sophomore who died after alleged hazing incident sues fraternity. Read story
Ohio college student dies after alleged hazing incident. Read story
Bowling Green State University sophomore dies after drinking at fraternity event, family attorney says. Read story
DECEMBER 2020
Tyler Perino v. Joshua Plaster
We represent Tyler Perino, who rushed Delta Tau Delta in the Spring of 2019 at Miami University. Shortly after beginning the rush process, Tyler and the other pledges were hazed, which culminated in a Big/Little hazing ritual that involved being beaten with a paddle and forced drug and alcohol ingestion.
Attorney for former Miami University student files civil lawsuit in hazing case. Read story
Former Miami student sues three former fraternity brothers over hazing incident. Read story
After hazing put him in the hospital, Tyler Perino vows to use his voice for change. Read story
Opinion: Fraternities, sororities that do not fight 'senseless' hazing rituals should permanently and immediately close doors in Ohio. Read story
Delts hazing survivor testifies in front of Ohio Senate. Read story
FEBRUARY 2019
Estate of Collin Wiant v. Sigma Pi Fraternity
We represent the Wiant family, who lost their son in a fraternity hazing ritual at Ohio University in November 2018. Collin was subjected to horrific hazing from day one that culminated in his death after the forced ingestion of nitrous oxide.
Family files lawsuit in death of fraternity pledge at Ohio University. Read story
‘Beaten with a belt, forced to take a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and Xanax then down a GALLON’. Read story
9 charged after alleged hazing death of Ohio Univeristy student from nitrous oxide. Read story
Nine people indicted in death of freshman at Ohio University off-campus fraternity house. Read story
Parents blame death of Ohio University student on fraternity hazing. Read story
FOX News: OU Hazing. Read story
Athens County Coroner releases final autopsy report in death of Ohio University student. Read story
Lawsuit: Extensive hazing at fraternity caused death of Ohio University freshman. Read story
Wrongful-death suit claims OU student died as a result of fraternity hazing. Read story
FEBRUARY 2019
Estate of Collin Wiant v. Sigma Pi Fraternity
We represent the Wiant family, who lost their son in a fraternity hazing ritual at Ohio University in November 2018. Collin was subjected to horrific hazing from day one that culminated in his death after the forced ingestion of nitrous oxide.
Family files lawsuit in death of fraternity pledge at Ohio University. Read story
‘Beaten with a belt, forced to take a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and Xanax then down a GALLON’. Read story
9 charged after alleged hazing death of Ohio Univeristy student from nitrous oxide. Read story
Cabela's Sued Over Sale Of Murder Weapon To Felon. Read story
Family of Slain Ohio Man Settles Lawsuit with Cabela’s for Selling Gun to Prohibited Purchaser. Read story
Hazing Cases Around the Country
Norwich University Women’s Rugby Team
Norwich University
March 2022
The military academy’s women’s rugby team has been accused of using branding and waterboarding techniques There is an ongoing investigation by local police.
Sigma Gamma Rho
Bowling Green State University
February 2022
After a series of violent hazing incidents and threats of retaliation for reporting the behavior conducted in 2020 and 2021, this sorority was expelled from Bowling Green State University in 2022.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Tulane University
February 2022
The Tulane University Police Department was alerted to a night of hazing practices in February. No information has been released to the public since.
Phi Delta Theta
Bowling Green State University
January 2022
The fraternity has been suspended for two years due to two separate excessive alcohol consumption incidents that led to emergency services.
Delta Chi
West Virginia University
February 2022
This fraternity’s hazing practices violated the university’s Student Conduct Code. Consequently, the fraternity was suspended until 2025 and deactivated by the national charter.
Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) and Phi Delta Theta
University of Kansas
January 2022
Two fraternities hazed students through assault, sleep deprivation, and other tactics. Victims of the hazing incidents also faced retaliation for reporting the hazing to university administration. Both fraternities were suspended from campus for five years.
Phi Delta Theta
Missouri Western State University
January 2022
While the details of the hazing report are not public, this fraternity has been deactivated by national charter after the hazing violation investigation.
Contact a Hazing Attorney Today
Has your loved one been a victim of hazing?
If your loved one has been the victim of hazing, you deserve justice. Schedule a free consultation today to get started. Here’s how the process usually works:
- Initial Conversation
- Case Evaluation
- Filing of Lawsuit
- Exchange of Information
- Mediation
- Trial
- Initial Conversation
- Case Evaluation
- Filing of Lawsuit
- Exchange of Information
- Mediation
- Trial
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